Location: Cold Spring
Top Things to do in Cold Spring
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What to do and see in Cold Spring, New York (NY): The Best Free Things to do
Cold Spring is a village in the town of Philipstown in Putnam County, New York, United States. The population was 1,983 at the 2010 census. It borders the smaller village of Nelsonville and Garrison. The central area of the village is on the National Register of Historic Places as the Cold Spring Historic District due to its many well-preserved 19th-century buildings, constructed to accommodate workers at the nearby West Point Foundry (itself a Registered Historic Place today). The town is the birthplace of General Gouverneur K. Warren, who was an important figure in the Union Army during the Civil War. The village, located in the Hudson Highlands, sits at the deepest point of the Hudson River, directly across from West Point. Cold Spring serves as a weekend getaway for many residents of New York City.
Restaurants in Cold Spring
1. West Point Foundry Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Reviewed By nickfN2175MK
Do the audio tour. Seriously. This place comes alive. If you're here for the history, it's truly fascinating and awe inspiring what took place at the foundry. The thousands of artisans and laborers; the civil war heritage; the fortunes won and lost; the labor and management stife; the cutting edge technology. It's truly a walk through the halls of US, NY, and Cold Spring history. Fun easy walk for families with interesting sights. Seriously though, audio tour on your phone.
2. Foundry Dock Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By nickfN2175MK
Fun stroll. Right near lots of eateries and icecream. If you went to the Foundry Preserve, the replica Parrot Gun cannon is a treat to see in real life. Lots of boat and people activity to keep little kids interested for a hot minute.
3. Hudson Highlands State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 47 reviews
Reviewed By V6955YYroberts - North Wales, United States
My wife and I hiked the 2 hour section of the Breakneck trail. It was challenging for us, but we did it. Not bad for a 47 and 52 year old! We saw people bring dogs on this trail which I thought might be tough for them with all of the climbing over rocks for a good part of the hike up the mountain. This might not be good for very young kids either. Bring water and snacks! And hopefully you are ok with heights! There were a few spots where I felt a little uneasy and my wife and I are experienced hikers.
4. Once Upon a Time Antiques
5. Breakneck Ridge Loop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 102 reviews
Reviewed By BlueHero - New Jersey, United States
Generally considered as the best one along Hudson valley because it is challenging and has amazing views, Breakneck ridge trail is always super crowded in summer, especially on weekends. In contrast, it was so quiet in winter that one could have all the beautiful views just to self. Even before the forcasted Nor'easter snow storm coming in, high mountains were already covered by snow. The gentle sunlight in winter further made everything look so peaceful and graceful. On top of the lookout tower on south beacon mountain, it was the true 360-degree panoramic view of extended ranges and Hudson river. Overall, it was indeed a wonderful hiking experience. Of course, hiking a steep trail during winter is more demanding than in Summer, so it is really for those prepared and capable.
6. St Mary's Episcopal Church
7. Magazzino Italian Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Magazzino Italian Art Foundation is a museum located in Cold Spring, New York, devoted to Postwar and Contemporary Italian art. Magazzino, meaning warehouse in Italian, was co-founded by Nancy Olnick and Giorgio Spanu. Designed by Spanish architect Miguel Quismondo, the 20,000 square-foot structure was completed in June 2017. Magazzino serves as a resource for scholars and students and offers an extensive library and archive of Italian Art. In addition, Magazzino has become a cultural hub for the vibrant Hudson Valley community thanks to the joint programs with local organizations. Under the guidance of Director Vittorio Calabrese, his team and its curatorial programs, Magazzino Italian Art bridges collaborations with American and Italian institutions not only to support contemporary Italian artists but also to foster discussions on Postwar and Contemporary Italian Art in the United States. Admission is free to the public.
Reviewed By travelingal60 - New York City, United States
This museum is a real gem and treat. It was free when I visited and even though it was during COVID they made you feel very comfortable with a one way flow around the museum and individual devices that would buzz if you got too close to someone. The building itself is very striking with its sleek and modern design. The exhibit I saw was Arte Povera which was very interesting and accompanied by an informative PDF guide. They has a small outdoor sculpture garden as well. They also have some donkeys in a pen a short flight of stairs up from the parking lot. I travelled here from NYC by taking Metro North to Cold Spring and then a short Uber/Lyft ride as their shuttle was not running due to COVID. You can then explore Cold Spring and make a day outing based around this museum.
8. The Chapel Restoration
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 19 reviews
The nondenominational Chapel Restoration is an historic Greek Revival style church originally built for Irish Catholic workers employed by the nearby West Point Foundry. Designed by Thomas Kelah Wharton, an 18-year old architect from Hull, England, the Chapel was dedicated in 1834. Just west of the Cold Spring Train Station (just over an hour from Grand Central Terminal in New York City), the grounds are open during daylight hours when there are no private events. A fantastic place for weddings, with one of the finest views of the Hudson in the tiny, picturesque village of Cold Spring, NY.
9. Bull Hill (Mt.Taurus)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By bwnyc
I had trouble figuring out exactly how we were going to get to the trailhead from the train station when I was planning the trip from our home in NYC, so I'll just start by saying it's a short walk to the trailhead from the station -- maybe 20 mins. You walk through the town and then make a left -- anyone can tell you where to go. It was a super foggy day when we went so we didn't get to see much by way of views, but the forest had an enchanted feel to it. We were worried our 5 year old would not make it all the way, but we did the entire short loop in about 4 hours. (The signs say 2-3 hours, but that's for adults.) The white part of the trail is probably steepest. Yellow is a bit less intense, and the red/blue is almost flat. Overall a great experience. We started around 2 pm and were done at 4. Maybe because of the weather it wasn't terribly crowded even on a long weekend in the fall.
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